A corner of Nội Bài International Airport . The airport is expected to receive 100 million passengers annually. — Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Nội Bài International Airport will be expanded to serve 100 million passengers annually, becoming more suitable to the development space of Hà Nội and minimising impact on surrounding planning.

This instruction was recently given by Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng at a meeting with relevant ministries and localities discussing methods for adjustment planning of Nội Bài Airport.

Dung required the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to further co-operate with ADPi, an airport architecture and technical design consulting company of France, to complete methods for Nội Bài Airport’s adjustment planning soon and select the final plan.

Dũng said the selected plan must ensure the capacity scale to serve 100 million passengers per year, ensuring efficient operation in line with the aviation technology's advanced development trends.

“It’s needed to minimise the expansion to the area, where will be compensated, especially residential land, ensuring favourable conditions for site clearance and lowest investment costs,” Dũng said.

"The expanded airport will be consistent with the development space of Hà Nội, protecting environment, national defence and security,” he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Transport to propose a master plan for the transport system to connect with roads and railways as well as building a proper transport system around Nội Bài Airport.

The expansion of Nội Bài Airport is needed as the volume of passengers has increased rapidly in recent years. In 2018, the airport received 25.9 million passengers, exceeding the previous planning with 13.1 million passengers expected. — VNS